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BMW G310R vs Duke 390 Comparison Review

BMW
G310R vs Duke 390 Comparison Review

Pricing & Features
Comparison:

The Duke 390 is priced
at 2.17 lakhs on road Delhi, whereas the BMW G310R is expected to be priced
around the price tag of 2 lakhs. In recent news, some BMW bikes have been
exported from India to Germany for testing which are suppose to be the G310R's
only. The declared invoice value of the BMW G310R is only 1.25 lakhs
approximately. Hence we can expect BMW to keep the pricing low. Both the Duke
390 and the G310R do get dual channel ABS as standard safety feature. BMW G310R
engine is mounted differently than any other single cylinder motorcycle in
India, the engines head assembly is tilted backwards of the motorcycle. This
helps the engineers to mount the air-filter directly at the front side of the
motorcycle, which can get direct input of air from frontal area of the bike.

Performance & Tractability Comparison:

Since launch, the Duke 390 has been the best affordable real
performance bike. Duke can show you 100 kmph marker under 6 seconds which is a
real pleasure. Though the low end tractability of the Duke 390 is not a
pleasure to drive, the bike is not meant to be driven around city and congested
traffics. Duke 390 loves to be in high revs and designed for tracks. On the
other hand BMW's top officials announced that the G310R will portray all the
characters of a BMW motorcycle. Hence we can expect the G310R to be extremely
refined and a pleasure to drive. The acceleration figures of the G310R may not
match with that of the 390's but the refinement and tractability will be way
ahead.

Power (PS@rpm): BMW G310R –
33.6@9500, Duke 390 – 43@9500

Torque (Nm@rpm): BMW G310R – 28@7500, Duke 390 – 35@7250

Kerb Weight (kg): BMW G310R – 158.5, Duke 390 – 154

Reliability & After Sales Service Comparison:

Hopefully BMW will be
using TVS motors dealers network for sales and service support, in-case if BMW
decided to go with individual network it will be a big work for the BMW's and
may end-up slow percolation in market. On the other hand KTM has about
250+ touch points across India, mechanics are well equipped and trained as
well. Even the Duke's overall spare parts are not exorbitantly high
priced as the bike itself.

Fuel Efficiency Comparison:

Duke 390 is very
volatile in case of fuel efficiency, in mixed conditions the 390 may go at
the max to 22 kmpl and in highway condition the figures may rise up-to 28
kmpl, but don't expect too. On the other hand the BMW G310R may give you some
relief due to its lower powered engine. We can expect 35 kmpl mileage from the
BMW G310R

Fuel Cost (for 40,000 km):

BMW G310R – 80,000 Rs.

Duke 390 – 1.08 lakhs
Rs.

Resale & Cost of Ownership Comparison:

2 to 3 year old KTM Duke
390 retails for 1.05 lakhs Rs. in the used bike market, also the consumable
parts like the brakes pads may cost around 1.5k for both front and rear sets.
On the other hand the BMW will have a better residual value due to its names
legacy which will give a upper hand to the BMW buyers in long term. BMW is also
know for durable and long lasting engineering products which comes from German
DNA.

Resale Value (after
2 to 3 years):

BMW G310R – remains a question for now

Duke 390 – 90,000
to 1.1lakhs Rs.

Total Cost of Ownership:

BMW G310R – remains
a question for now

Duke 390 – 2.15 Lakhs Rs.

Handling & Ride
Quality Comparison:

Duke 390 when driven on
sharp bends feels at home, the bike never looses its grip on the corners,
thanks to the Mitzeler tires are front and rear. Mitzeler soft compound tires
on the Duke 390 are sticky but fast wearing component. Suspensions on the Duke
390 are tuned for aggressive handling which make the ride quite hard for
regular commutes.

BMW G310R has a well
tuned suspension for better handling and secondary ride. Going over small
undulation and high frequency inputs will be damped way better than the
Duke's.

Wheelbase (mm):

BMW G310R – 1374

Duke 390 - 1367

Tyre Size:

Front:
BMW G310R – 110/70 R17, Duke 390 – 110/70 R17

Rear:
BMW G310R – 150/60 R17, Duke 390 – 150/60 R17

Comfort & Ergonomics Comparison:

Both the G310R and Duke
390 are actually not meant for great comfort as both bike are naked
streetfighters. But the BMW G310R has a single piece saddle with has better
cushion compared to the extremely hard seat of the Duke 390. A brand new seat
of the Duke 390 feels good, but the time passes by, due to weathering effect
the seat become hard and tough. Sitting long hours on a Duke 390 is a big task
in itself. In city traffic conditions you will be exposed to hot air flow onto
your thugs on the 390, which will make you sweat in your pants and even
sometimes you might feel the bike has caught fire. Thanks to deletion of
non-reversing fan on the new 2015 onwards Duke 390's

Verdict:

Duke 390 is an aggressive motorcycle compared to the BMW G310R, KTM can increase your pulse rate but BMW will increase your pleasure of driving. BWM G310R will be a far superior bike than the Duke 390 in terms of refinement and overall built quality. The G310R may not be powerful as the Duke 390, but only power output is not everything. Hence BWM G310R is our pick of the test compared to the current production Duke 390.